I challenge you, Sorenson…

Just recently, I got this video-mail from Sorenson Video Relay Service, pleading us for help.

Sorenson VRS wants us to let FCC know not to cut down the rates which may significantly impact the quality of their VRS services.

Initially, I am impressed how Sorenson made an effort to create this 3 to 4-min video clip and made LOTS of calls to videophones across the America hoping to get their support.

Then, the more I thought about it… and I am presenting a big challenge for Sorenson.

SHOW ME THE MONEY!

Sorenson VRS, I challenge you, to present us your HARD DATA with numbers (money received from FCC and how this money been spent) with all of us to review and show us how this rate actually affect you in the future, affecting the quality of your VRS service.

Sorenson VRS, I know that you are ‘under’ the umbrella of the SORENSON companies…

and, don’t forget that James LeVoy Sorenson and James Lee Sorenson donated over 5 million dollars to Gallaudet, to help to build Sorenson Language and Communication Center.

I know that Sorenson Companies helped to financially support the special firmware development for the videophone that you got from the DLink company. I know that you poured millions of dollars to mass produce special videophones to ‘give away’ to Deaf people, with understanding that we must subscribe to high speed internet connection to access your video relay services.

REVISED STATEMENT..

On July 2002 through June 2003, FCC raised the rate of $17.044 dollas per minute, to help to accelerate the growth of the need of VRS services. Do you remember that during DeafWay 2002, there was a HUGE exhibition booth set up by CSD? Sprint/CSD were the first to provide trials and introduced the first VRS model at Deaf Way II in 2002. That was when CSD skyrocketed, but… Sorenson got into the market for Video Relay services in January 2003. Sorenson partnered with DLink in 2002, to create their firmware, and mass produced the videophones. So, Sorenson, as clever as always, beat CSD by the low brow punch, by providing FREEBIES (Videophones) to Deaf people, and comes with easy to remember, phone numbers programmed in their firmware, plus they also added the program to prevent Deaf people to use their VP to call other VRS companies. Sorenson grabbed the huge market share by 80 percent, and causing CSD’s downfall.

Then, in July 2003, the rate went down to $7.751 dollars per minute, then slowly going down to $6.644 dollars per minute this year.

FCC created the rate to provide SERVICE (video relay services) to the deaf people according to the ADA law, and these rates are not for creating products or spending so much money on research and development. Sooo…

I think its time for us to start purchasing products that is best for us, instead of depending on Sorenson providing VP 200s, when VP 100s starts to break down, which is happening right now.

REVISED STATEMENT END HERE

I know that the first few years, you have prevented your videophones to make calls to another VRS companies, until the FCC created the mandate, called the videophone interoperability feature.

Now, you reaped over 70 percent of the videophones across the America, and you got the major share of the FCC money. No doubt about that.

Kudos for your ingenious business practices, and you certainly created the massive market of video relay services.

Now, we haven’t seen the HARD DATA from you explaining how this possible rate reduction will affect the quality of SVRS.

SHOW US… SHOW US…

It’s hard to believe since you are making so much money, and spending so much money with outreach services, training, equipment, donations, and so forth.

Yet…. you want to convince me? As Cuba Gooding, Jr. would say, “SHOW ME THE MONEY!”

Sorenson, I challenge you!

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148 Responses to “I challenge you, Sorenson…”

I love sorenson vp200.. I must keep Keep Keep Vp200 for information to call our doctor, interpeter, bils, family or everything than tty… Please Keep Keep my vp200.. We all alway need vrs to call doctor or family for information.. Thank you lots.

Fb.. I dunno where you get your source of information, but it is not a lie, it is not made up. it is True. This I know for a fact. Again I say in general and not just pointed to you but others… THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK AND GET YOUR STORIES STRAIGHT BEFORE BLURTING OUT STATEMENTS THAT YOU HAVE NO IDEA ABOUT.

I used to interpret for video relay. It sucked balls! I am glad I quit the video relay interpreting business! Now I do educational and freelance interpreting in the community and I love it! To me, this is live, one-on-one, more personal and rewarding than sit in front of a computer monitor all frigging day! Thanks for allowing me to put my 2 cents in.

hi sam , it true i spoke to my buddy about fcc. i found out but someone made up to get involved every deaf peoples. so my freind work for sorensonvrs, he got confuse what the hell going on but someone made up and i spoke to fcc. that fcc is accept pay all that , there is no cut down at all ok

IT IS VERY IMPORTMENT USE VEDIO PHONE FOR DEAF OR HEARING IMPARIED.I USE ALL TIME.IT IS WORTH A BETTER COMMUNICATION AND BETTER THAN TTY MORE UNDERSTAND WITH SIGN LANGUAGE (A.S.L.) I AM VERY SUPPORT THEM VIDEO PHONE.

Good Point! But do we take the chance of losing VRS, that most of us deaf people need this VRS for purpose of communication with others and hearing world, especially when we need to contact any medical emergencies. I would not want to take the chance of losing its VRS. Its the best of communication relations than having none..

Here the rough idea of the hard data of how VRS company spend that you wanted to know. interpreters earn about 30 dollars an hour. Installer/trainer earn 50 dollar per install (that depends on how many hours to install and train people, for young customer it fast and easy since they learn quickly. It take much longer for older people to learn thus more time.) The install/training does not include the time contacting the customers by email or other method, sometime frustrating and take forever to reach customers. Not including the time for planning and scheduling. Mileage paid about 50 cent a mile according to federal adjustment allowance. (this is somewhat reasonable because of the time usage, and not because of the gas price and getting double of that money of gas purchased i.e. an hour drive round trip with 60 miles on it you get 30 dollars – gas costs about 6 bucks, so that like 24 dollar of hour time to drive) That for any mileage used for trainers, interpreters, and workers. Support Trainers earn about 12 an hour. VRS company also pay for flight, car rental (mileage don’t count but gas purchase count here), hotel stays, and 30 dollar a day limit meal for regional manager who needs to travel and train trainers/installer. Also for trainers who have to travel several hundred miles or need to fly to another area and need to travel. VRS company pays UPS for shipping their products via priority mail it costs 12 dollar a box.

On the average it costs Sorenson $500 per customer for equipment, training, ups, and mileage.

It costs more for replacement, VRS training for people took advantage of equipment by not using VRS service. again for mileage, and an average of 12 dollar an hour service call. Upgrade pays $50 same as new install.

VRS company has to pay their eletricty, water, and sewer bills and other tax related i.e. property.

It all adds up to a lot of money and leaving a small amount of profit and money for charity.

Sorenson originally spend 50 million for start up and it take time to get all of that money back and start getting profits.

i know that is there is no cut rate from fcc, that amy cohen to make up story but it is not what she say ans sorenson have limit pay all his companie so that sorenson want help deaf as well and i knew that fcc wont cut rate for vrs.what yu saying yu think. yu guy and gal dont have pay rate at all cuz we are deaf in america cuz it is ADA

it is not the interpreters fault alone that children are not getting educatedin schools, everyone is so quick to blame others when the REAL FAULT LAYS WITH THE PARENTS.. IT IS SO EASY FOR EVERYONE TO BLAME EVERYONE BUT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE REALLY AT FAULT.. another case of thinking before you speak.

Lol Joe Dirt, the name you chose speaks volumes. I, for an fact, have seen with my own eyes, terps that can’t sign diddly squat at the schools. Yes, there are some sucky parents, but there is the NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT, it was passed for a reason, and it includes the deaf kids!!! Therefore, it is the school’s job to make sure the kids are educated. Parents do not have teaching degrees. The interpreter’s job is to translate the teacher’s spoken word into the signed word. So Joe Dirt, go back to your mullet and trailer house, eat some pork rinos. Stick to what you know. (RIMSHOT)

hi how are you doing ? and i understand how your feel and i agree with you i know that i hear that i did get that fcc letter so i just wonder that bad news about sorenson . i not know that my vp was free that why but they told me that they give all deaf people world for free vp but fcc and vrs need more money up tha why but i just thought that free vp but not i decide that i want support by fcc and vrs and i did send sign my name from that fcc and vrs letter few month ago . i just postive my life that reason that true thank u amy !! smile

One, interconnect Dlink and Sorenson videophone numbers. To date, Sorenson purposefully keep them non-interchangable by isolating respective servers even though they both are within a few feet apart.

Two, start selling videophones, To date, they unilaterally manipulate the distribution which by itself is discriminatory. The only reason why they have the legal right to discriminate is because they are able to circumvent by claiming that they “own” every videophone. As result of their manipulating the distribution, they limit one videophone per deaf household while hearies could have their phone in every roon. This creates inconvenience because deaf people have to climb stairs or walk across the house to make a vp call. What if there is a fire in the room where vp is? How would a deaf person call 911 from other room; that is, if there is no TTY?

Bottom line: ADA is to create EQUAL opportunties for all, including deaf people…not to make money out of at the expense of deaf people!

Don’t forget if VP breaks down who fix it. Free for all Deaf customers include VPs, long distance calls, free equipments such as remote, cords, etc., free VP to be repaired/replaced, and many lists. WOW! Sorenson also hires all DEAF employees to work as managers, installers/trainers include as repairman, sign language instructors, area specialist – field managers, Help Desk Field (Tech support), clerk, etc. Of course, D-Link were first made by Sorenson before CSD. Why complain? Sorenson relay interpreters get very good pay. Therefore; Sorenson does not want hearing to get VP…Because we will lose relay interpreters if you get VP for your hearing family that most deaf community complained. They want more. I have hearing children but I understand Sorenson’s good point, if you are not happy with Sorenson then use TTY and pay long distance calls.

Amy, I thought I admired you until I saw you on video. I think you should not have the right to attack Sorenson without really understand what is going on and should not listen to other person who worried about FCC’s plan to cut rates. I think it is important to ask Sorenson with your positive attitude if something bothers you. It sounds like you are very much against Sorenson or being unhappy with this company. We should show our thanks/ very much greataly appreciate to Sorenson for many things they have done for us all the Deaf communities. We know we all can’t live without Sorenson and they did wonderful job for us to meet our needings with no charge. Why worry about CSD or other providers? We do not attack them but they should not mess up VP without getting training. If they mess up VP who pay installer/trainers – Sorenson of course. It happens many times. My deaf husband works as installer/trainer and his boss and supervisors are deaf…wow they communicate on vp, discuss important issues about future deaf customers needings and still want to hire deaf employees better than working hearing boss who do not know sign. Did you know that Sorenson has hired a deaf CDI (Certified Deaf Interpreter)recently. Isn’t that neat! Give our big congratulations to Sorenson.

Really? Sorenson was one who refused to sponsor one of the largest conferences in 2009, where sorenson videophones are mostly provided in the Nevada community including Utah.

What Sorenson is doing is selfish. They will not allow us freedom of choices which relay service to use on the Gallaudet campus. At the public locations on the campus, Sorenson refused to allow us to choose, while in the dorms, we were allowed. Now this year after the summer break, learned in the dorms, the VP blocked the freedom of choice to use other relay service companies.

Now I learned again, Sorenson is frustrated that HOVRS, CSDVRS, and Hawk Relay, so forth use the space bar then the contact name to put at “top” of the contact list for us to make it easier to make calls. Sorenson decided to develop a program to block the “space” thingy or whatever, they are trying to be selfish and make us to use Sorenson instead of our choice of video relay service.

I found Hawk Relay to be friendliest one who gives back to the community more amount than Sorenson. Sorenson just want to donate to Gallaudet to look like they are giving something- while they refused to help the deaf and hard of hearing community that much, nothing more than average of 250 dollars.

Hello Amy Cohen,
I was very impressed when I saw your movies of explaining about Sorenson. Can I have your e-mail so that I want to ask you about the rights of deaf to keep their own VP 100 or 200 from Sorenson several times
trying to scare some of Senior Citizens Deaf people that they can take away their VP from them. I was very angry too so I called ADA LAW under Nevada State to protect Deaf rights and ADA law said no one can take things away from deaf people at all. I agreed. State of Nevada did scolded to them last year, it makes me feel good about it. We still keep our own VP 200 !!!!!. Thank you Amy keep fighting for the deaf’s rights. God bless you !, Sincerely, Robert

its not only sorenson… no Viable is setting up shop in greensburg PA. there isnt enough community intepreters there now as it is… i dont think the pittsburgh area can afford another VRS. colleges, dr offices, SS appoints etc will all feel the impact.

I’m a Sorenson employee. I make $10.60 an hour…and no raise after almost 2 years. Its NOT an easy job. We are not allowed to even bring a soda or food to our desk. We can only put drinks in small Sorenson labeled mugs or we get fired. we also get fired if we accidentally answer an instant message while a call window is open, or god forid we try to softly socialize with a co-worker. Individualism is frowned upon and if you complain, –don’t–because any criticism gets you fired.
The “new” building has a disgusting small bathroom with 3 stalls to 200 people. We are not allowed to socialize and only full timers (who make 60 cents less) get a weak form of insurance. The management is full of “clicks” and they pick us apart and we have to work on eggshells. A poor kid got fired for having a shut OFF cellphone tucked between his legs because it fell out his sweater pocket. Sorenson is so negative and underpaid you guys have no idea…people USE MY JOB as an example as to why they are grateful for THEIR jobs!

hello my name is verlie belcher well i need vrs for call the dr also hops and something happen to my family pls dont remove vrs because i need vrs to help me to get dr or something dont remove vrs please ok thank you god bless y and soreson vrs and fcc too thank you verlie

pls pls keep go on sorenson dont be off and i pray made it keep go on sorenson i need for use sorenson . vrs are wonder good people some bad people
i hope so vrs are very keep job and i hope fcc will understand of deaf people need use sorenson

We need keep our real good sorenson vrs that reason we need call drs, dentists, health, doctors, etc because we are deaf not hearing, see …Really help alot better that what we needs vrs…Keep Sorensore vrs…thanks,

am deaf my name is terrance rouse and from rochester, new york united states so and i heard about sorenson vrs means video to fcc will off no way pls keep we deaf unfair about all hearing people not right we deaf how talk with communication number one conact with family and doctor and job and we deaf must required talk with commuication and good edcuation number one same sorenson vrs to fcc if we deaf what happen accident or heart attack or die and how conact talk with communications sorenson vrs and we deaf will get complain to fcc that imporant we deaf help must be get understand fair deaf and hearing and share try sloveing pls keep sorenson vrs i think better impove. and no off on sorenson vrs because we deaf will complain and angry all people yes that ture make sense we deaf how talk with communication number one that imporants to fcc must require sloveing and keep sonreson vrs with video and mobile need emengercy and pls dont give up to fcc get hard work we deaf support to fcc must understand and we have deaf 90,000 in area community top in rochester, new york rochester school for the deaf and nitd and rit college will complaining to fcc yes i belive and will support to sorenson vrs that imporant 100% and thank you and i hope see foward again from smoothcoolman@yahoo.com and deaf my name is terrance rouse nice to fcc hope slove and work out toghter.

i was shock tht dont want see deafs dont want back tty no way but people love sorenson vo than tty and fcc dont cut on rate bec important to deafs have more understand from vp or vrs and they love it see face than tty is nothing see face smile and u know mean…. and u know tht pls respect people have deafs or blind or etc…have enjoy but not fair to hearing alway high rate than deafs feel…………keep send me message to know make sure……..dont fed up this and pls support this message from vp………….

Hi,Federal Communication Commisson,Please don’t lose it my Sorenson Vrs/VP, becuse Its very important good a improve in the future a communication for the deaf and a interpeter service Also need more a interpeter service to support help Deaf and Hard Hearing to keep communication with a Sorenson VRS/VP. Thank you,YPRios Have a nice Day! Smile.

PLEASESONRENSON ,I AM DEAF MY NAME IS LAZARO CABRERA , BECAUSE I NEED HELP ME ABOT THE COMMUNICATION FROM VRS AND I HAVE BIG COMMUNICATION FOR ALL BUSSINEESS ,WHAT IS DWN VRS FOR THE INTERPRETERS THAT I NEED SOME COMUNICATION FOR ALL BUSSINEESES PLEASE CALL ME MY NUMBER IS 561 290 1358 BECAUSE I NEED COMMUNICATION FROM HEARINGS PEOPLES AND MY FAMILYS IN ALL THAT I NEED VERY IMPORTANTS FOR MY BUSSINEES PLEASE TO CONTACT WITH THE FCC AND ADA BUT WHAT IS THE PLM WITH VRS BECAUSE IS GOOD FOR ALL OUR FUTURECONECTIONS FOR OTHER PEOPLES HEARINGSFOR ALL IN WORLD IS VERY GOOD PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR E-MAIL OR ON MY VP NUMBER PLS CALL ME FOR THIS RESOLUTION ,PLS DONT FORGET THAT I NEED TO IMMEDIATE ON VRS FOR ALL SERVICE IN FAST. OK THANK U AND I WAIT OF OUR ANSEWER ,LAZARO OF ALL SINCERELY AND ALL COOPERATIONS OF OUR FUTURE DEAFS.

HI AM LAZARO SO REPEAT TO YOU INTO OUR MESSAGE ,BUT PLEASE FCC DONT LOSE TO OUR FUTURE GO TO EXAMPLE OF OUR DESTINITY DEAFS INTO THE FUTURE IS VERY IMPORTANTS SAME OTHER PEOPLES HEARINGS TO ADVANCE THAT WE DEAFS , BECAUSE WE DEAFS NEED MORE IDEAS FOR OUR COMMUNICATIONS, MORE SERVICES , MORE FOR THE FUTURE FOR ALL WORLDS THAT WE NEED , PLEASE FCC DONT LOSE HIM TO CONTINUES WITH THE LOVE GOD IN AMERICAN FOR OUR UNITED STATES FOR ALL THE HONOR AND THE RESOECT OF OUR SINCERELY , DEAF LAZARO CABRERA.

i dont understand that fcc give you lots of money in past.donate to gallaudet colleges. maybe fcc had reason some fraud or not honest. u must be honest and watch budget without waste money. fcc earn from cells charge. they should be plenty moneyto depend on vrs acting honest. hope vrs not close. teason poor deaf cant afford in visiting so they can use for chatting without lonesome. if in case they cant coomunicate with problem help using vrs helping lots. better than tty because they dont understand to read lang, rather taking vrs for deaf easy. need watch out and never leave vrs for helping deaf.

i dont understand that fcc give you lots of money in past.donate to gallaudet colleges. maybe fcc had reason some fraud or not honest. u must be honest and watch budget without waste money. fcc earn from cells charge. they should be plenty moneyto depend on vrs acting honest. hope vrs not close. reason poor deaf cant afford in visiting so they can use for chatting without lonesome. if in case they cant coomunicate with problem help using vrs helping lots. better than tty because they dont understand to read lang, rather taking vrs for deaf easy. need watch out and never leave vrs for helping deaf.

We live in America, we have the freedom to earn money and make money for a living. Imagine that concept. When the economy is so bad, isn’t it wonderful that a company is surviving and prospering, so WHAT if SVRS is making money. I applaud their energy and efforts to the DEAF communities. Everyone wasnts something for nothing, Sorenson has provided many deaf/hh and businesses videophones, FREE. THe installers go into the homes and businesses FREE. Deaf and Hearing have access to contact AS NEVER in the PAST with loved ones, businesses, etc… I applaud SORENSON for being a leader in the INDUSTRY and for keeping so many employees working both DEAF and Hearing. HOOAH! KEEP up the GOOD WORK.

I’AM HEARING BUT MY WIFE IS DEAF AND HAVING THE V.P. HAS BEEN THE BEST THING TO COME INTO HER LIFE. IT GIVES HER A CHANCE TO SEE AND TALK TO HER OTHER DEAF FRIENDS AND TO KEEP IN CONTACT WITH THE DEAF COMMUNITY IT IS A WHOLE LOT BETTER THEN THE OLD TTY,HERE YOU CAN SEE AND TALK TO YOUR FRIENDS, HEARING AND DEAF AND ARE NOT LIMITED TO JUST TYPING WORDS AND NOT SEEING THE PERSON ON THE OTHER END. AND WHEN YOU ARE TYPING YOU CAN NOT SEE THE OPERATER LIKE ON THE V.P. IT IS LIKE YOU ARE TALKING WITH A REAL PERSON AND NOT JUST TYPING A LETTER. IT HAS MADE HER LIFE ALOT BETTER HAVING THIS V.P. AND BEING ABLE TO BE CONNECTED TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD WERE IN TIMES PAST BEFORE THE TTY,V.P. AND CEIL PHONES THE DEAF WERE SHUT OUT FROM THE REST OF THE WOURLD. SO PLEASE DO NOT MESS WITH THE V.P. AND CUT FUNDING OR EVEN LOWER FUNDING JUST LEAVE IT ALONE AND LET THE DEAF PEOPLE ALONE AND STOP SCREWING UP THINGS FOR THEM LIKE COMMUNICATION AND ANY OTHER WAYS OF COMMUNICATION. START TREATING THEM LIKE REGULER PEOPLE.

[…] This is not the first time that Sorenson has asked for our help telling FCC to not cut rates! Back in 2007, there was a vlog post by Amy Cohen Efron about challenging Sorenson to show the hard evidence of their losses if FCC were to cut rates. To view the Vlog Post go here. […]

I support NECA/FCC’s cut rate on Sorenson. FYI- Your vp will not shut down. If Sorenson wants to, then you have nothing to worry becz all port will be move to other vrs provider. I think Sorenson uses people to beg FCC not to cut and you are doing a dirty job for Sorenson. Cut the rate and Sorenson will use wisely with budget to spend on whatever they need.

The main problem is that there is no money. The United States has a $13 Trillion debt. This does not count the over $100 trillion owed to Social Security and other unfunded mandates. Why do you think Unions in Greece have members rioting? Greece is broke and is in debt. Spain, Portugual, Italy are being toold what to by the IMF. They have no soverienty. The whole world is in a economic debt crisis. U.S. Union pension funds are asking the Federal govermnet for a $100 billion bail out. Think sorenson is the least of problems.

It is not $17/hr now, more like $6.25 per hour. The $17/hr was the initial rate for approximately the first year or two of VRS (that was something like 8 years ago, for about one year only). It does take a lot of capital to get the ball rolling, free VP distributions, get consumers to make VRS calls, not just point-to-point, which does not generate any money at all. I do not work for Sorenson, but I think it is not at all unreasonable to ask for support from the consumers who use their equipment, servers, network, to make VRS calls and to use the servers for point-to-point, for something like $1.10 a month (the tax that the FCC still collects, and has several million dollars collected in a fund). Sorenson is a private company which only generates reimbursable funds when VRS calls are made. At the low rate (basically the text relay service rate) it is almost impossible to support the VRS platform – interpreters are more expensive than typists). Of course, I remember years ago, when the Deaf Community itself supported DICO (SF/Bay Area text relay service) with subscription of $15/month limited and $25/month frequent or daily calling, Mon-Fri, 6am to 6pm (if I remember right). Truth be told, Deaf and Hard of Hearing have a right to access, but when FCC threatens this access with severe cutbacks of reimbursement, and not a lot of research to make this decision – after all, they ARE politicians – then this will hurt the Deaf community IF VRS companies have to cut back services. Just an opinion.